TNAG-1083-FCO40-1333-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 86

t

CODE

18-77

Separate copies to:

Mr Hunt, SED

Mr Morris, HK&GD

Mr Smith, SAmD

Mr Noss, WIAD

Mr Hewitt, EAD

1

HKK 340/1

Reference..

M. Jones, in

RECHT A REGISTRY NO. 5.

10 APR 1981

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

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REGISTRY

Action Takan

PA

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$15.4 160 1514

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2014

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NATIONALITY BILL: SEPARATE CITIZENSHIPS FOR DEPENDENCIES

1.

$4

It was clear from the debates on certain clauses of the Bill in Committee last week that there is going to be very strong pressure on the Government from members of the Committee on both sides to grant separate citizenships for the dependencies. Some members clearly have in mind that there should be differential treatment between the dependencies with some having their own citizenship and others being brought into British citizenship. There were some indications that what some members had in mind was that they might bring into British citizenship not only their favourite dependencies such as the Falkland Islands but others for whom for various reasons a separate citizenship might be inappropriate eg on grounds of size or structure.

2. What this means is that the Government could face a major challenge on this issue. It is likely to arise on Thursday this week or on Tuesday next. Mr Luce will wind up and will need to make a comprehensive speech on this subject.

3.

I attach a draft prepared by the Home Office on which I have made a number of amendments in manuscript. Because of the urgency the Home Office will send this revised version to Mr Luce today. If departments have any suggestions to make for change please let me know immediately and I will feed them directly to Mr Luce.

4. Would SED please note the detailed coverage of the position of Gibraltar, who are the only dependency who have expressed any interest in separate citizenship. This is the first time that we have responded to that position and you may wish to let Mr O'Neill or the Governor know what is proposed.

Irons

W Jones

Nationality and Treaty Department

8 April 1981